Polish Restaurant Owner Brutally Attacked During Brussels Protest

Michał Mytkowski, owner of the Lil Bao restaurant in Brussels, was severely beaten by a crowd after he attempted to retrieve his property from demonstrators during a protest against education cuts.

Escalation of Violence

The incident occurred last week during a demonstration by students and teachers in Brussels. When Mytkowski noticed two protesters stealing a chair from his restaurant, he intervened to retrieve his property and prevent it from being used as a projectile against police.

The individuals who took the equipment immediately accused Mytkowski of racism, turning the surrounding crowd against him. The restaurant owner was surrounded, knocked to the ground, and beaten, while other protesters threw a table through his restaurant window.

Absurd Allegations

Mytkowski dismissed the accusations of racism as entirely absurd, noting that he has lived in Belgium since childhood and operates a multicultural business with his Taiwanese wife. He believes the racism charge was used as a pretext to justify the crowd’s aggression.

The restaurateur highlighted a troubling trend in Belgian public debate where accusations of racism are weaponized without regard for the context or the history of the person being targeted. He noted that even older bystanders reportedly encouraged the violent behavior.

Social Tensions in Belgium

The attack has drawn significant attention as it highlights broader social tensions in Belgium, a country grappling with the complexities of a diverse society. International organizations have previously warned about both discrimination and the risks of using sensitive labels to escalate personal conflicts.

Despite his injuries, Mytkowski intends to keep his restaurant, Lil Bao, open. While he has removed the outdoor seating area for safety, he insists that fear should not dictate his business operations and has called for greater public solidarity.